15-Year-Old Matt Pearson Turns His Judo Dream into a Journey to Japan

At just 15 years old, Shudan Judo Club’s Matt Pearson has already achieved what many judoka only dream of, earning his 1st dan black belt and then driving a community-backed campaign to fund his journey to the very birthplace of judo, the Kodokan in Tokyo.

At just 15 years old, Shudan Wellingborough Judo Club’s Matt Pearson has already achieved what many judoka only dream of, earning his 1st dan black belt and then driving a community-backed campaign to fund his journey to the very birthplace of judo, the Kodokan in Tokyo.

Matt made club history in March 2025 when he earned his 1st dan black belt on the line at a Police Sport UK event, becoming the youngest judoka ever to achieve the milestone at Shudan Judo Club in Wellingborough.

For Matt’s father, Jim, the achievement inspired a bold next step. His vision was to send his son to Japan to train at the Kodokan. With family friend and Shudan coach Andrew stepping in as chaperone, the campaign ‘Get Matt to Japan’ was launched. Complete with an anime-inspired logo and a JustGiving page, the campaign quickly gathered momentum across social media.

Matt played a central role in the fundraising effort. With Andrew’s guidance, he delivered private coaching sessions to fellow judoka, sharing competition techniques in exchange for donations. Soon, neighbouring clubs were offering to host Matt’s masterclasses, further extending the reach of the campaign.

Behind the scenes, Jim helped rally support from across the judo community, including backing from judo icon Neil Adams. Shudan Judo Club also hosted fundraising seminars, featuring grappling coach Thomas Mearns and veteran wrestler Vlad Chamula.

The campaign continued to grow with sponsored challenges, including the Waendel Walk and a climb up Mount Snowdon — completed in judogi — highlighting Matt’s commitment and determination. By the summer, the goal was within reach, with flights booked and accommodation secured just a short walk from the Kodokan.

A final fundraising push saw even more support from across the judo community, including a masterclass hosted at Shudan by VI World Champion Dan Powell.

Matt and Andrew arrived in Tokyo on 3 November and wasted no time getting to work. Their first training session in Chiyoda set the tone, with over 50 dan grades from across the world on the mat. Just a day later, they stepped onto the tatami at the Kodokan itself, taking part in high-level randori against some of Japan’s finest judoka.

The experience extended far beyond the Kodokan. Through connections with YouTuber Julian, known as The Judo Nomad, Matt and Andrew linked up with Tokyo-based French judoka Tanguy (@TanguySensei), who helped build a tailored training itinerary. Alongside regular Kodokan sessions, Matt trained at community clubs, high schools and universities, immersing himself in the breadth of Japan’s judo culture.

Over four weeks, Matt trained five days a week, with each dojo offering new lessons and challenges. Representing his club and country, he shared Shudan patches, Union Jack keyrings and ‘Get Matt to Japan’ stickers, building friendships wherever he trained. Regular social media updates kept supporters back home engaged, with posts reaching more than 120,000 views in just 30 days.

By the final week, Matt’s development was clear. During randori with a sports science graduate specialising in combat sports, his opponent commented on the noticeable improvement since their first session — a clear sign of how much the Japan experience had accelerated his progress.

With the trip complete, Matt’s journey is far from over. The campaign has now evolved into ‘Matt’s Judo Journey’, with ambitions that include future training camps, competitions and international opportunities. Supported by Shudan Judo Club and the wider judo community, this young judoka’s story is only just beginning.

From Wellingborough to Tokyo, Matt Pearson has shown how ambition, dedication and community support can turn a judo dream into a life-shaping experience.

Thank you to everyone at Shudan Wellingborough Judo Club, and across the wider judo community, for their support of Matt throughout this journey — a true display of how incredible the British judo community is.

Watch out for further news from British Judo by checking out our latest news section. You can also catch up via our official social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The post 15-Year-Old Matt Pearson Turns His Judo Dream into a Journey to Japan appeared first on British Judo Association.